Gerard remembers the actor fondly and says working with him on the epic movie is a career highlight.

Gerard and Michael shared a ‘beautiful’ friendship (Pictures: REX)

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Gerard said: ‘It was one of my favourite experiences ever as an actor because I love Scandinavian actors generally, I’ve worked with a few now and I love how playful they are.

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‘Their ability to just take chances and give so many layers in a performance and that’s what he was like. I could really feel the beauty of our relationship and that friendship develop.’

Gerard plays Commander Joe Glass who is sent into Russian territorial waters to save the Russian president and avoid sparking World War III. Michael, best known for his role in the original Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, stars as Captain Sergei Andropov, Commander of a Russian submarine whom Glass decides to rescue despite the protests of US Navy Seals.

The on-screen chemistry between Michael and Gerard provide some of the most endearing – and humorous – moments in Hunter Killer.

Hunter Killer was one of Michael’s last films in 2017 (Picture: Rex Features)

Referring to the rest of their cast, Gerard continued: ‘There’s a lot of young kids in that sub and actors and you’re always going to want to set an example to them. If you turn up and you’ve been in the business a few years and you’re miserable and you’re complaining, they’re going to say, “Is that what we’ve got to look forward to?”

‘You look at someone like me or especially Michael and he was such a joy. He was so nice with everyone, calm and patient, only had fun and worked his butt off.’

The moment Gerard learned of Michael’s death couldn’t have come at a more unfortunate time.

The actor recalls: ‘The day that we did a test screening which was the first time I saw the whole movie in front of an audience, it was the day he passed away so it was a very emotional experience.

‘Our relationship was so emotional and I’d just found out earlier that day and there were a lot of tears shed then.’

Hunter Killer, which also stars Gary Oldman, Common and Linda Cardellini, is set for release on 19 October.

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